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Unusual Attitudes: A No-Excuses Screw-up

A small mistake turned into a big problem for Martha when the propeller of the Piper Cub she was taxiing damaged the wingtip of a Cessna 150. Martha Lunken
Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The author, Martha Lunken, accidentally damaged her Piper Cub's propeller and a parked Cessna 150's wingtip while taxiing, admitting her "dumb" mistake after an emotionally difficult day.
  • Initially downplaying the incident and not reporting it to the FAA, she was later investigated after a tip-off and required to undergo a 709 re-examination of her pilot proficiency.
  • Lunken ultimately accepts responsibility, acknowledging that as a designated pilot examiner, she is held to a higher standard and should have reported the incident, now focusing on preparing for her re-examination.
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Whenever I start wondering if the well will run dry, I find myself embroiled in something so preposterous, spectacular, outrageous or dumb that it’s worth writing about. But I have to confess: I was less than proud about this latest escapade and made several attempts to explain it away as a minor, moderately embarrassing but simple incident. When this “no big deal” exploit morphed into something more complex and painful, I decided to abandon it and spin another tale. That, of course, was not to be; I kept hearing the flutter of wings from that pesky angel who hovers nearby and knew I’d have to come clean.

Martha Lunken

Martha Lunken is a lifelong pilot, former FAA inspector and defrocked pilot examiner. She flies a Cessna 180 and anything with a tailwheel, from Cubs to DC-3s.

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